Sole configuration for metal wood golf club

ABSTRACT

A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, the club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, and top crown, and a rigid, non-deformable bottom sole having a forward section and at least one additional rear section. The forward section provides a friction surface and is defined by a bounce angle extending downwardly from said frontal ball striking face to prevent the leading edge of the club head from digging into the turf or ground during the execution of a golf shot. The rear section of the bottom sole is a reduced friction surface and is recessed upwardly into the club head.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/264,390, filed Nov. 2, 2005, entitled “SOLE CONFIGURATIONFOR METAL WOOD GOLF CLUB”, which is currently pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf clubs and in particular to wood ormetal wood type golf club heads having an improved sole configuration.

The way the sole of a golf club impacts the ground surface during theexecution of a golf shot often determines the ball flight and theoverall results of the shot. When the impact of the golf club on theground surface creates a divot, mis-hits often occur. The leading edgeof a golf club head is the edge at the interface of the bottom sole andlower portion of the ball striking face. It is well known in order toprevent the leading edge from digging into the ground at impact with agolf ball, the bottom sole configuration is formed with a downwardlyextending, angular surface toward the rear edge of the club head thatraises the leading edge above the ground. This is known in the art asthe bounce of the club head, the bounce angle being the angle of thebottom sole relative to the horizontal when the club head is in a normaladdress position prior to the execution of a golf swing. Therefore, golfclubs with different bounce characteristics will react differently withthe ground surface as the club head impacts with the ground during agolf shot.

Typically, a golf club with a higher bounce angle is considered to havemore bounce. Typical bounce angles vary between 6 and 12 degrees.However, the effective bounce of a club head may also vary by changingthe overall length of the bounce surface that engages the ground. Forexample, a larger bounce angle combined with a shorter bounce surfacewill create the same effective bounce as a lesser bounce angle with awider ground engaging surface, since each structure will raise theleading edge of the club head the same height above the ground supportsurface. Bounce is particularly useful for golf clubs that are used tohit shots out of sand bunkers to enable the club to be swung down andthrough the sand without digging too deeply therein.

Even when a golf ball lies on smoothly cut grass or turf, the bounce andsole configuration will affect the results of the golf shot. This isparticularly true when more severe conditions are encountered, such asextremely hard or soft surfaces. For example, when a golf club impacts ahard surface, the club head will tend to bounce resulting in the golfball being hit thin resulting in a lower golf shot. When a groundsurface is soft, a golf club may embed in the ground resulting in theloss of club head speed causing the golf ball to fly short of theintended target. Prior art golf club heads have been made with bottomsole configurations to control the way a golf club head reacts with theground for the purpose of better controlling a golf shot.

Bounce angles are well known on iron type golf club heads, particularlyon sand wedges. The bounce of these wedges prevents the leading edge ofthe club from digging into the sand thereby allowing a golfer to hitbehind the ball and still be able to swing through the shot to extractthe ball from the sand onto the green putting surface.

Wood type golf club heads are not provided with the bounce structure.Tsurumaki 2004/021852 discloses a wood type golf club head that isspecifically designed to collapse when it strikes a golf ball. Tsurumakishows a sole with a flat, angled forward section, a recessed mid-sectionand a rear section capable of testing on the ground. However both thestructure and function of this sole configuration does not providebounce. Rather the sole is designed to collapse change the club faceangle when it strikes the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a metal wood type golf club head ofconventional design with an improved sole configuration to increase theeffective bounce of the club head. The bottom sole surface is rigid andnon-deformable and formed in separate sections. A first forward solesection is located directly behind the leading edge of the club head andextends partway to the rear of the club head. The forward sole sectionis formed of a generally flat or planar land area at an angle downwardfrom the horizontal when the club head is in a normal address positionjust prior to the execution of a golf shot. This angle is the bounceangle and raises the leading edge above the ground surface. The bounceangle allows the club to hit a golf ball off of a ground surface withouttaking a divot. The forward section provides a non-deformable,frictional surface that impacts the ground as a golf ball is hit withthe club head. Because the sole is rigid, the bounce angle of theforward section prevents the club head from digging into the turf orground and actually causes the club head to bounce. The bottom soleincludes at least a second section behind the forward sole bouncesection. The second section extends upwardly and inwardly and recessesinto the club head body so it is raised above the ground surface withthe club head at the address position. There is less friction on thesecond section surface since it is raised relative to the ground as agolf ball is hit by the club head. The raised second section preferablyhas an aerodynamic or airfoil shape that traps air between the bottomsole and ground creating lift and increasing club head speed.

Another feature of the sole structure is increased mass low on the clubhead because of the increased surface area and thickness of the metalwood shell in the lower areas. The increased thickness adds to therigidity of the sole structure. This produces a higher trajectory ballflight for a given loft angle of the clubface. This, in turn, allows fora lower loft angle for a given ball flight resulting in increaseddistance for a given swing force. Because of this combination of bounce,loft angle and lower weight, lower lofted clubs, such as drivers, may beused in the fairway resulting in longer golf shots for a given swingforce.

In various embodiments, the club head may be provided with a rear edgeof the bottom sole that rests the club head on the ground for increasedstability. The club head may have a flat mid section to stabilize theclub at address. Similarly the bottom sole of the club head may have aforward or bounce section of various sizes and bounce angles.

The present invention is particularly adaptable for metal wood type golfclubs and in particular to fairway woods. The invention is also adaptedfor driver type golf clubs and allows drivers to hit a golf ball offclosely cut fairway grasses without taking a divot.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a metalwood golf club head with an improved, rigid bottom sole configurationhaving a reduced frictional surface.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal woodhaving an improved sole configuration to facilitate hitting a golf ballfrom a fairway grass surface.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal woodgolf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration with a bounceangle at the leading edge.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of ametal wood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configurationhaving an aerodynamic lower surface.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a metalwood golf club head with an improved bottom sole configuration allowinga driver lofted club to be used from the fairway grass.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a metal woodtype golf club that can be hit off of a ground surface without taking adivot.

These and other objects will become apparent with reference to thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a toe side elevational view of a metal wood type golf clubhead in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof FIG. 4 is a top plan viewthereof.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view of three sizes of metal wood golf clubs of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment of a metalwood golf club head in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment of a metalwood golf club head in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a toe side elevational view of another embodiment of a metalwood golf club head in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the club head of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. Itshould be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore thedetails disclosed are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely forma basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one of ordinary skillin the art how to make and/or use the invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 disclose a metal wood golf clubhead 100 of the present invention formed with a body portion 102 made ofa hard metal material, forming a metal shell 104. The club head 100includes a ball striking face 106, heel 108, toe 110, rear face 112, topcrown 114, and bottom sole 116. The club head 100 is preferably formedwith a hosel 118 connected to a conventional shaft 120 of any suitablelength and handle or grip (not shown) on the upper end thereof.

The bottom sole 116 is formed in separate sections of a rigid andnon-deformable metal material. A first forward sole section 122 islocated directly behind the leading edge 124 of the club head 100 andextends partway to the rear face 112 of the club head 100. The forwardsole section 122 is formed of a flat or planar land area at an angledownward from the horizontal when the club head 100 is in a normaladdress position just prior to the execution of a golf shot. This angleis the bounce angle and raises the leading edge 124 above the groundsurface. The bounce angle extends from the leading edge 124 to the rearedge 125 of the forward sole section 122. The bounce angle may be aslittle as three degrees and as much as 12-15 degrees depending upon theoverall front to rear width of the forward sole bounce section 122, theloft and size of the club head 100. The forward section 122 provides africtional surface that impacts the ground when a golf ball is struck bythe club head 100. Because the forward section 122 of the sole 116 isrigid and non-deformable, the bounce angle of the forward section 122prevents the leading edge 124 of the club head 100 from digging into theturf or ground surface and actually causes the club head 100 to bounceslightly, thereby maintaining the club head on plane withoutinterference with the ground.

The bottom sole 116 includes a mid-section 126 behind or rearward of theforward sole bounce section 122. The mid-section 126 extends upwardlyand inwardly and recesses into the club head body 102 to the extent thatit is raised above the ground surface with the club head 100 at theaddress position. The bottom sole 116 preferably may be provided with arear edge 128 having at least a portion that rests the club head 100 onthe ground for increased stability. Raising the mid-section 126 abovethe ground provides less friction on the surface of the mid-section 126since it is raised higher than the forward sole bounce section 122 that,in turn, reduces the overall friction across the bottom sole surface 116of the club head 100 as the club head 100 is swung. The raisedmid-section 126 preferably has an aerodynamic or airfoil shape thattraps air between the bottom sole 116 and ground creating lift andincreasing club head speed.

As seen in the sectional view of FIG. 5, the thickness of the bottomsole 116 of the club head 100 is greater than the upper portions of theclub head 100 resulting in increased weight at the lower areas of theclub head 100, that, in turn, facilitates hitting a golf ball higherinto the air. The bounce configuration of the forward sole section 122allows a golfer to hit a golf ball from a flat surface, such as closelymown fairway grass or even a dirt surface, without the leading edge 124of the club head 100 digging into the surface. Therefore a golfer mayhit a driver type club, typically with a face loft angle between 8 to 12degrees, from a flat surface without a tee. This enables a shot to behit from a fairway lie where greater distance is needed in order toreach the green and reduces the likelihood of taking a divot that wouldreduce club head speed and promote a miss hit.

In the present embodiment, the club head 100 includes a third rearsection 128 on the bottom sole 116 that touches the ground to stabilizethe club head 100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a series of golf club heads 200, 210 and 220,representing a driver, three wood and five wood respectively. It will beappreciated that the structure of the present invention is equallyapplicable to any size, shape and loft metal wood. The aboveillustrations are illustrative only and are deemed limiting to specificshapes, sizes and lofts.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a golf club head 300 that is essentially thesame as the club head of FIGS. 1 to 5 except for the bottom sole 316. Inthis embodiment, a forward section 322 of the bottom sole 316 extendsapproximately half way between the leading edge 324 and the rear face312. The forward section 322 includes a bounce angle of a lesser degreethan the bounce angle of the previous embodiment, the extended length ofthe forward section being sufficient to raise the ball striking face 306of the club head 300 above the ground surface. A rear section 326 of thebottom sole 316 extends upwardly into the club head 300 so as to beraised above the ground surface to reduce friction and provide anaerodynamic airflow surface.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a golf club head 400 that is essentially thesame as the club head of FIGS. 1 to 5 except for the bottom sole 416. Inthis embodiment, the bottom sole 416 includes a forward section 422 thatincludes a bounce angle sufficient to raise the ball striking face 406of the club head 400 above the ground surface. A center portion 426 ofthe bottom sole 416 is flat and is used to support the club head on thegrass or other ground support surface prior to the execution of a golfshot. A rear section 428 of the bottom sole 416 extends upwardly intothe club head 400 and is raised above the ground surface to reducefriction and provide an aerodynamic flow surface.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate still another golf club head 500 that is alsoessentially the same as the club head of FIG. 1 to 5 except for thebottom sole 516. In this embodiment, the bottom sole 516 includes aforward section 522 with a bounce angle as described herein above. Aplurality of slots or channels 524 are provided between the forwardsection 522 and the rear face 512. The slots 524 are oriented in a frontto rear direction on the bottom sole 516. The slots reduce friction andprovide an aerodynamic flow surface for the club head 500 as it is swungduring the execution of a golf shot.

While various embodiments have been shown and described, it will beunderstood there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure.All modifications and alternate constructions of woods and metal woodshaving a bottom sole with a bounce section are included within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A metal wood type golf club head including a club head body and meansfor attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body including a frontalball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, aheel, toe, and top crown, wherein the improvement comprises: a bottomsole characterized as being rigid and non-deformable; said bottom solehaving a forward bounce angle section and at least one additional rearsection; said bottom sole said forward section being defined by agenerally flat friction surface with a bounce angle extending downwardlyfrom said frontal ball striking face to a rear edge of said forwardbounce angle section; and, said rear section being raised upwardlyrelative to said forward section and recessed into said club head bodyproviding an area of reduced friction relative to said forward bounceangle section.
 2. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 1, whereinsaid rear section of said bottom sole is formed in two parts betweensaid forward section and said rear face; a mid section and a rear groundengaging section.
 3. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 2,wherein said mid section is recessed into said club head body.
 4. Themetal wood type golf club head of claim 2, wherein said rear sectionincludes at least a portion designed to rest on a ground surface.
 5. Themetal wood type golf club head of claim 2, wherein said mid section isflat to provide a support area for said club head that rests on a groundsurface.
 6. The metal wood type golf club head of claim 5, wherein saidrear section is recessed into said club head body.
 7. The metal woodtype golf club head of claim 1, wherein said forward section with thebounce angle formed thereon extends approximately midway between saidfrontal ball striking face and said rear face.
 8. The metal wood typegolf club head of claim 7, wherein said rear section is recessedupwardly into said club head body.
 9. The metal wood type golf club headof claim 1, wherein said bounce angle is formed in a range of three to15 degrees.
 10. The metal wood golf club head of claim 1, wherein saidrear section includes at least one slot extending in a front to reardirection said rear face and said bottom sole.
 11. The metal wood golfclub head of claim 10 being further defined by a plurality of generallyparallel slots extending in a front to rear direction on said bottomsole.